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Abstract:

A housing for a solar panel is provided that includes a tray, the tray
including a plate, a pair of side walls extending generally vertical from
the plate, a top end cap, a bottom end cap, a lip that extends the
interior perimeter of each of the side walls, the top end cap and the
bottom end cap, wherein the plate, the side rails, the top end cap and
the bottom end cap are collectively configured to form a cavity and a
glazed element.

Claims:

1. A housing for a solar panel comprising: a tray; said tray including: a
plate; a pair of side walls extending generally vertical from said plate;
a top end cap; a bottom end cap; a lip that extends the interior
perimeter of each of said pair of side walls, said top end cap and said
bottom end cap; wherein said plate, said pair of side rails, said top end
cap and said bottom end cap are collectively configured to form a cavity;
and a glazed element.

2. The housing as recited in claim 1, wherein said tray further includes
at least one first aperture, said aperture configured to allow passage of
a tube or conduit.

3. The housing as recited in claim 1, wherein said glazed element is
configured to engage said lip and encase said cavity.

4. The housing as recited in claim 1, wherein said plate, said pair of
side walls, said top end and said bottom end are manufactured of a
polystyrene foam.

5. The housing as recited in claim 4, wherein said tray is encased in a
coating to protect said tray from the weather elements.

6. The housing as recited in claim 1, wherein said plate, said pair of
side walls, said top end and said bottom end are manufactured of a
weather resistant plastic.

7. The housing as recited in claim 1, wherein said plate, said pair of
side walls, said top end and said bottom end are configured to be
manufactured as one unitized component.

8. The housing as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said pair of side
walls include a first step joint, said first step joint configured to
engage a second step joint of said plate.

9. The housing as recited in claim 1, wherein said top end cap is
configured to include a top header, said top header including: at least
one pipe extending a length of said header; and at least one void
extending the length of said header.

10. The housing as recited in claim 1, wherein said top end cap is
configured to include a top header, said top header including: at least
one pipe extending a length of said header; a pair of metallic plates
extending the length of said header; electrical hardware and; wherein
said electrical hardware is configured to be positioned in between said
pair of metallic plates, such that an electrical energy is induced in
said electrical hardware.

11. The housing as recited in claim 1, wherein said pair of side walls
further include at least one second aperture, said second aperture
configured to facilitate the flow of air throughout said cavity of said
housing.

12. The housing as recited in claim 1, wherein said glazed element may
include multiple layers.

13. The housing as recited in claim 10, wherein said housing further
includes a frame to secure said glazed element.

14. The housing as recited in claim 11, wherein said frame includes a
`U`-channel to capture a portion of said glazed element and a securement
means to secure said glazed element to said frame.

15. The housing as recited in claim 12, wherein said frame is configured
to engage said lip and encase said cavity.

16. The housing as recited in claim 1, wherein said tray includes at
least one header key.

17. The housing as recited in claim 16, wherein said at least one header
key includes at least one first aperture, said aperture configured to
allow passage of a tube or conduit.

18. The housing as recited in claim 1, wherein said tray includes a
trough, said trough molded into a top surface of said tray and extending
a perimeter of said tray at said top surface.

19. The housing as recited in claim 15, wherein said housing further
includes a trim cap, said trim cap configured to engage said trough and
secure said glazed element to said tray.

Description:

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of priority based on
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/474,277 filed on Apr. 12,
2011, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety for all
purposes.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC

[0003] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] 1. Field of the Invention

[0005] The present invention relates generally to solar panels for
converting solar energy into electrical and thermal energy and, more
particularly, to a lightweight and inexpensive solar panel housing.

[0006] 2. Background Art

[0007] As the world demand for natural resources, such as petroleum oil,
petroleum products, natural gas, coal and the like, continues to rise,
there is an ever increasing need to identify and use alternative forms of
energy in an attempt to conserve what remains of a finite supply of
natural resources. Alternative forms of energy are in use today and may
include water or hydro, wind, and solar power to name a few. Of these
alternative forms of energy, most often, solar power is seen as one of
the most abundant forms of renewable energy.

[0008] Generally, solar power may be collected from the sun and
transformed into electrical or thermal energy through the use of solar
panels. Photovoltaics are typically used to collect solar energy and
covert the solar energy directly into electricity. Many photovoltaics may
be connected to form a solar panel. Many solar panels may be arranged in
an array on the tops of buildings or on the ground and are generally
required to produce enough electrical energy to supply electrical power
to a building.

[0009] Alternatively, solar panels may be used to change the sun's solar
energy into thermal energy to heat water that may be used for bathing,
washing and swimming. As with photovoltaic solar panels, thermal solar
panels may be arranged in an array on the roof or a building or on the
ground such that each of the panels may be connected together through
plumbing to allow water or other fluids to circulate through the pipes of
the panels. As the water or other fluids circulate through the pipes and
solar panels, the solar energy captured by the thermal panels will
increase the temperature in the water or other fluids. The heated water
or fluids may then been stored or used right way.

[0010] Although solar energy is quite useful and abundant, presently the
conversion from solar energy to electricity is quite inefficient. Because
of this inefficiency, many photovoltaic panels are connected together
through an array of solar panels, as described above, such that enough
solar energy may be collected and converted to electrical power to
operate lighting and appliances in a home. In commercial applications,
there is a need for even more solar panels to collect and convert enough
electrical energy to operate a large commercial building.

[0011] While the conversion from solar energy to thermal energy may be
done so more efficiently than the conversion of solar energy to
electrical energy, there is still a need to use an array of solar panels
to convert the sun's energy to heat fluids for a building or home. As
with photovoltaic panels, a number of solar panels are needed to
facilitate an adequate thermal energy transfer to heat a sufficient
amount of water for use.

[0012] Often, the sizes of these solar panels are very large to
accommodate the electrical or thermal internals required for energy
transfer and they may weigh tens of pounds. Typically, a commercial solar
panel may be as large as four feet in width by eight feet in length. The
housing of the solar panels are generally fabricated from a metal, such
as steel, aluminum and the like, to provide rigidity and structure to the
panel and to protect the internal energy transfer components from the
elements of rain, wind, snow and the like. The metal housing or trays
contribute to the weight of the panel and often make the panels difficult
to manipulate as they are installed and often add a significant amount of
weight to a non-load bearing roof.

[0013] Another drawback with present day solar panel designs is that they
may be only used in daylight hours when the sun is shining to transfer
solar energy to solar or thermal energy. Solar panels provide no
functional benefit during the night hours. Providing a means to use the
solar panels during the evening will further improve the efficiency of
the solar panels, lower the costs of energy use and ultimately help to
ensure we conserve our natural resources.

[0014] Therefore, a need exists for a lightweight and inexpensive solar
panel housing that may be used in conjunction with a solar panel for
converting solar energy from the sun into useful electrical or thermal
energy. Also, there exist a need for a solar panel housing that may be
manufactured such that components of the solar panel may be used during
night hours or times of little or no sunlight.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] A housing for a solar panel is provided that includes a tray, the
tray including a plate, a pair of side walls extending generally vertical
from the plate, a top end cap, a bottom end cap, a lip that extends the
interior perimeter of each of the side walls, the top end cap and the
bottom end cap, wherein the plate, the side rails, the top end cap and
the bottom end cap are collectively configured to form a cavity and a
glazed element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The features and inventive aspects of the present invention will
become more apparent from the following detailed description, claims, and
drawings, of which the following is a brief description:

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a solar panel according to an
embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a solar panel according to another
embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a solar panel housing according to
an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of a solar panel housing
according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of a solar panel housing
according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of a solar panel housing
according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a solar panel housing according
to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of a solar panel housing
according to still another embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of a solar panel housing
according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 7 is a side view of a solar panel housing according to an
embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a solar panel glazing according
to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] FIGS. 9A and 9B are cross-sectional views of a solar panel housing
according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] FIGS. 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views of a solar panel
housing according to still another embodiment of the present invention;
and

[0030] FIGS. 11A and 11B are cross-sectional views of a solar panel
housing according to still yet another embodiment of the present
invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] Referring now to the drawings, preferred illustrative embodiments
of the present invention are shown in detail. Although the drawings
represent embodiments of the present invention, the drawings are not
necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated to better
illustrate and explain the present invention. Further, the embodiments
set forth herein are not intended to be exhaustive or otherwise to limit
or restrict the invention to the precise forms and configurations shown
in the drawings and disclosed in the following detailed description.

[0032] Now referring to the drawings, a solar panel 10 is illustrated in
FIG. 1. This particular solar panel 10 may be used to generate electrical
power from the solar energy supplied by the sun. Solar panel 10 includes
an array of photovoltaic cells 12 that may be arranged and positioned in
a housing 11. Housing 11 may be rectangular in shape and sized to
accommodate a number of photovoltaic cells 12. Housing 11 includes a tray
14 and a piece of glazing 16, such as glass, low thermal emissivity
glass, Halar® and the like, that covers much of tray 14 to enclose
cells 12. A conduit 18 may extend from each of four corners of housing 11
such that electrical wiring may extend from photovoltaic cells 12 of
panel 10 out through conduit 18. Conduit 18 will provide means to connect
the electrical wiring of an array of panels 10 together so that more than
one panel 10 may be electrically connected together as well as allowing
for electrical connections into the building such that the electrical
power generated by panel 10 may be supplied to the buildings for
generating light, operating appliances and the like.

[0033] Solar Panel 10 may also be used to generate thermal energy from the
solar energy supplied by the sun for the heating of fluids, such as
water. FIG. 2 illustrates solar panel 10 that is configured with a number
of fin tubes 20 rather than photovoltaic cells 12. Fin tubes 20 are
configured to allow fluids to flow through them. Fin tubes 20 are heated
by the solar energy supplied by the sun which, in turn, transfers the
heat to the fluid within tubes 20. Pipes 22 may extend from each of four
corners of housing 11 so that more than a one panel may be connected
together as well as allowing for plumbing connections into the building
such that fluid heated by panel 10 may be supplied to buildings for use
in bathing, swimming, cleaning and the like.

[0034] According to an embodiment of the present invention, tray 14 is
shown in FIG. 3 and includes a bottom plate 24 and a pair of side walls
26 and 28. Tray 14 further includes a top surface 38 as well as a top end
cap 30 and a bottom end cap 32. Plate 24, side walls 26 and 28, top end
cap 30 and bottom end cap 32 may be configured to create a cavity 34 to
house components of solar panel 10.

[0035] Each of the pieces of tray 14 may be manufactured from foam such as
polystyrene and the like and assembled together with glazing 16 to
produce a very light weight housing 11 for encasing photovoltaic cells 12
or fin tubes 20. Any number of processes may be used to manufacture each
of the pieces, such as cutting each piece from a block of material, blow
molding each of the pieces, forming each piece from the material,
injection molding, rotational molding and like processes. The foam tray
may then be encased in a coating, such a polyurea, to strengthen tray 14
and to protect the tray from the weather elements. Manufacturing tray 14
in this manner will help to decrease the weight of housing 11 and solar
panel 10 versus conventional metal panels that are widely known n the
art. Although tray 14 has been described above as being manufactured from
a foam product, tray 14 may easily be manufactured from any materials
such as any type of plastic, woods, metals, ceramics and the like and yet
still maintain light weight properties.

[0036] Now referring to FIG. 4A, a typical cross-section of tray 14 is
shown to illustrate side wall 28 (typical for side wall 26). Side walls
26 and 28 each include a lip 36 that extends the length of each of walls
26 and 28 near a top surface 38. Side walls 26 and 28 further include a
first step joint 66 for accepting a second step joint 68 of plate 24 to
provide a secure and sealed joint between side walls 26 and 28 and plate
24. FIG. 4B illustrates a typical cross section of top end cap 30
(typical for bottom end cap 32). Both top end cap 30 and bottom end cap
32 include lip 36 near top surface 38, such that when tray 14 is
assembled, lip 36 extends the inside perimeter of side wall 26 and 28,
top end cap 30 and bottom end cap 34. Lip 36 may be configured in this
manner and sized to accept and seat glazing 16 such that cavity 34 and
housing 11 may be sealed to protect the solar components. Also
illustrated by FIG. 4B is an aperture 64 that may be sized to accept
conduit 18 or tube 22 and may be positioned proximate each of the four
corners of tray 14.

[0037] Alternatively, side walls 26 and 28 may be designed such that they
manufactured with bottom plate 24 as one piece. In this particular
embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 4C, side walls 26
and 28 extend generally perpendicular outward from bottom plate 24. Plate
24 and side walls 26 and 28 may be manufactured in this manner to
streamline the assembly process of tray 14. Top end cap 30 and bottom end
cap 32 may be assembled to bottom plate 24 and side walls 26 and 28 in
the same manner as above to create cavity 34.

[0038] Tray 14 may also be manufactured as a single unitized body having
plate 24, side walls 26 and 28, tope end cap 30 and bottom end cap 32 all
continuously connected together to further reduce assembly costs. The
entire tray 14 may be molded or stamped as one piece and be manufactured
of plastic, foam such as polystyrene, woods, metals, ceramics and the
like and yet still maintain light weight properties.

[0039] No matter the manufacturing or assembly process or the materials
used to create housing 11, housing 11 may be made in various sizes and
shapes. Housing 11 may be manufactured to account for ease of
maneuverability during installation, yet allow for a large enough size of
solar panel 10 to limit electrical or plumbing connections if a number of
panels are being used. Housing 11 may also be designed and manufactured
with flexibility to adapt to various roof types and styles as well. For
example, a roof may have a curvature that may make mounting a typical
solar panel very difficult. Housing 11 may be manufactured in a manner
that could accommodate the roof curvature and enable installation of
solar panel 10.

[0040] Now referring to FIG. 5, tray 14 is illustrated with a top header
40 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this
particular embodiment of the present invention, top end cap 30 may be
modified to include a header 40 and provide housing 11 and solar panel 10
with further operational features. Header 40 may include at least one
pipe 42 that extends a length of header 40. Pipe 42 may be plumbed into
the any conventional plumbing system of a building to allow fluid to flow
from the building through pipe 42 of header 40 and back to building.
Header 40 may include a void 44 that will allow air to enter header 40,
circulate around pipe 42 and exit header 40. Alternatively, header 40 may
include another pipe (not shown) for directing an air flow proximate pipe
42. When used in this manner, header 40 may be an air-to-fluid heat
exchanger.

[0041] In this particular embodiment, housing 11 may be used to take
advantage the night air, which may typically be at a lower temperature
than the air during the sunlit day. Water or other fluids that may be
passed through pipe 42 of header 40 will encounter air that is at a lower
temperature then the fluid passing though pipe 42. As with any type of
heat exchange, the fluid passing through pipe 42 that is at a higher
temperature than the air will begin to lower in temperature and approach
the temperature of the air as the temperature of the air increases to
that of the fluid temperature. A constant supply of cool air into header
40 through void 44 and around pipe 42 will continue to lower the
temperature of the fluid passing though pipe 42. As stated previously, a
number of housings 11 and solar panels 10 may be assembled in an array
such that the length of pipe 42 may be increased in length to maximize
exposure to the air. While header 40 has been described in use with a
single pipe 42 for directing a fluid through header 40, it is important
to note, however, that multiple pipes may be plumbed through header 40
and, yet, still achieve the same results of cooling heated water.

[0042] Providing for means to raise and lower the temperature of the fluid
in the above described manner will not only provide means to heat and
cool the fluid but also allows for virtually around the clock usage of
housing 11 and solar panel 10. Solar panel 10 may be used during sunlight
hours to raise the temperature of fluids such as potable water for
drinking, swimming, bathing and heating residences and commercial
buildings. Solar panel 10 may also be used during the night hours to
lower the temperature of fluids such as potable water for drinking,
creating ice for storage and use at a later time and cooling residences
and commercial buildings.

[0043] In yet another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.
6A, header 40 may be designed to package a pair of plates 50 and 52,
electrical hardware 46 (such as a thermoelectric device) and plumbing
such that the fluids passing though housing 11 and solar panel 10 may be
used to generate electricity. In this particular embodiment of the
present invention, a second pipe 48 may be added to header 40. Pipes 42
and 48 may be configured with plates 50 and 52 and electrical hardware 46
to be used in the generation of electricity due to a temperature
differential that may be induced in two fluids that will pass through
pipes 42 and 48. Electrical hardware 46, plates 50 and 52 that contact
pipes 42 and 48 respectively, may generally extend the length of header
40.

[0044] Generally, plates 50 and 52 and pipes 42 and 48 will be
manufactured of a metal such as copper, steel, aluminum and the like to
maximize the heat transfer between the fluids, pipes 42 and 48 and plates
50 and 52. As stated previously, pipe 42 may be plumbed into a supply of
building fluids such as city supplied water while pipe 48 may be
connected to solar panel 10 for a supply of fluids such as water that may
be at higher temperature than the fluids supplied though pipe 42 during
daylight hours. As pipe 42 contacts plate 50 and pipe 48 contacts plate
52, a transfer of heat will occur between pipes and plates. Plate 50 will
lower in temperature and plate 52 will rise in temperature causing a
temperature differential between the plates. The temperature differential
will be realized by electrical hardware 46 positioned proximate to plates
50 and 52 thus leading to a generation of electricity. Generation of
electricity in this manner is well known in the art. Alternatively,
during times of no sunlight, such as during evening hours, the fluids
flowing though pipe 48 may be at a lower temperature than the fluids
flowing through pipe 42 thus reversing the temperature differential and
creating electricity during hours of no sun light. The electricity
generated may be used to generate any of the number of pumps used to
circulate the fluids throughout the building and array of solar panels 10
or for other electrical accessories requiring power throughout the
building such as lighting, televisions and the like.

[0045] Alternatively, plate 52 may be directly connected to fin tubes 20
as illustrated in FIG. 6B. In this particular embodiment of the present
invention, pipe 48 may be omitted as fin tubes 20 are plumbed and
connected directly to plate 52. The heated water from fin tubes 20 will
flow directly to plate 52, thereby raising the temperature of plate 52
relative to plate 50, thus enabling the generation of electricity as
described above.

[0046] While the above improvements to housing 11 have been described with
enhancements to top header 40, it is important to note, however, that
these same enhancements may be added to a bottom header and side walls
and these components work equally as well to heat and cool fluids.
Housing 11, when designed and manufactured in this manner will enable
virtually round the clock use of housing 11 and solar panel 10, versus
conventional solar panels that may be used only during sunlight, to not
only generate electrical and thermal energy, but to also provide for
cooling aspects as well.

[0047] Typically, and as expected, solar panels will tend to increase in
heat when exposed to sun. With photovoltaic cells, as is well known in
the art, they will tend to operate at an optimal level within a specific
temperature range. If the temperature of the cells decrease or increase
outside of the range, the cells will begin to operate less efficiently in
their operation of converting solar energy to electrical energy. One
means to control the overheating of the panels is to allow some ambient
or cool air to flow throughout panel 10 and the cells to help maintain
the temperature in panel 10 at an optimal level for electrical power
generation. In another embodiment of the present invention illustrated in
FIG. 7, side walls 26 and 28 as well as bottom end cap 32 may include an
aperture 54 that may be covered with bristles to allow the escape of air
from solar panel 10 while at the same time helping to limit the amount of
air and debris entering solar panel 10. An air flow may be introduced at
header 40 through void 44 and directed through holes 56 of header 40 and
into cavity 34, across cells 12 and out aperture 54 in an effort to
maintain the temperature of cavity 34 at the optimal level for electrical
generation.

[0048] The same aperture and bristle configuration described above may be
used with thermal solar panels as well. In this particular embodiment of
the present invention, fluid may be pumped through fin tubes 20 during
the night hours. Ambient night air may be introduced through void 44 in
header 40 and directed through holes 56, into cavity 34, across fin tubes
20 and out aperture 54. As stated above, when solar panel 10 is used in
this manner, the fluid circulating in fin tubes 20 will tend to cool thus
providing potable water for drinking, creating ice for storage and use at
a later time and cooling residences and commercial buildings.

[0049] As stated previously, housing 11 includes glazing 16 that is
designed and configured to seat at lip 36 such that cavity 34 may be
sealed. Glazing 16 may be configured with any number of layers to
adequately seal cavity 34 while providing an optimal pass through of
solar radiation to photovoltaic cells 12 and fin tubes 20 to promote the
generation of electrical power and thermal energy, respectively.

[0050] In this particular embodiment of the present invention illustrated
in FIG. 8, glazing 16 is configured as two layers. A frame 60 may be
configured such that a `U`-channel 62 is created to capture a portion of
glazing 16. Frame 60 may include four sides and may be sized to seat in
lip 36 and may be manufactured of any material such as any metal, plastic
and the like. In this particular embodiment, glazing 16 may be produced
in sheets that are double the size of what may be needed to fit within
housing 11. Glazing 16 may be designed in this manner such that when it
is folded over upon itself, a double layer of glazing may be created.
Frame 60 may be positioned in between the two sheets of glazing. The
folded end of glazing 16 may then be pushed into channel 62 and a piece
of rope or the like may be added into channel 62 to seat glazing 16 in
channel 62 and on frame 60. The same assembly process may be used to
assembly the ends of glazing 16 of the other three sides to frame 60.
Once assembled in this manner, glazing 16 and frame 20 may be seated in
lip 36 to seal cavity 34.

[0051] FIGS. 9A-10B illustrate alternative means to secure glazing 16 to
tray 14 to create housing 11. In this particular embodiment of the
present invention, a trough 70 may be added at top surface 38 to each of
side walls 26 and 28, top end cap 30 and bottom end cap 32. Trough 70 may
be molded into top surface 38 of each of side walls 26 and 28, top end
cap 30 and bottom end cap 32 and sized to accept and secure a trim cap
72, a portion of which may be snapped into trough 70. Alternatively,
trough 70 may be a separate metal frame that is secured to top surface 38
with typical fasteners. Trim cap 72 may be configured to extend around
the perimeter of tray 14 at trough 70. Alternatively, cap 72 may be
configured such that cap 72 may be positioned in trough 70 are selected
positions around the perimeter of tray 14. FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate one
exemplary use of cap 72 and trough 70 with a particular type of glazing
16. In this particular illustration, glazing 16 is configured to be
captured in trough 70 by cap 72. Glazing 16 may be stretched across
cavity 34 and tray 14 and the edges of glazing 16 may be captured in
trough 70 by cap 72 thereby securing glazing 16 to tray 14.

[0052] FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate a further exemplary use of trough 70
and a second trim cap 74. In much the same manner as cap 72 secured
glazing 16 to tray 14, second trim cap 74 can also be used to secure
glazing 16 to tray 14. In this particular illustration, glazing 16 may be
at such a thickness that may prevent glazing 16 from being captured in
trough 70 by cap 74. In this instance, cap 74 may be configured such that
it captures glazing 16 against lip 36, thereby securing glazing 16 to
tray 14. Second trim cap 74 may be configured to engage trough 70 around
the entire perimeter of tray 14, or alternatively, second trim cap 74 may
be configured such that cap 74 may be positioned at selected locations
around the perimeter of tray 14 just as cap 72. In either embodiment,
trim cap 72 and second trim cap 74 are configured to engage trough 70 and
secure glazing 16 to tray 14 to create housing 11.

[0053] In still yet another embodiment of the present invention
illustrated by FIGS. 11A and 11B, tray 14 may include a header key 76. In
this particular embodiment, at least one section of tray 14 is configured
to accept and secure header key 76. In this instance, header key 76
includes aperture 64 as well as mounting holes to accept fasteners that
will allow for header key 76 to be secured to tray 14 (tray 14 includes a
mating fastener, such as a molded tapped insert and the like for
accepting fasteners that will pass through the fastening holes of header
key 76). Header key 76 will allow for interchangeability of the header
key with the rest of tray 14. The size and shape of aperture 64 may be
varied depending on the size of the conduit of pipe that may pass through
aperture 64, or, alternatively, header key may be a solid piece if no
aperture is needed. Allowing for header key 76 to be changed out with
different types of header keys may provide for uniform manufacturing of
tray 14 in an effort to lower costs and reduce material use. The trays
can be manufactured to one standard or size and various, smaller, header
keys may be produced and easily added to trays or exchanged with other
header keys to meet the component requirements of the job.

[0054] Housing 11 has been described above having a number of improvements
that will ensure the optimal operation of any solar panel during both the
sunlight and evening hours as well. The functional design aspects of
housing 11 along with the operational aspects for solar panel 10
described above take advantage of our abundant renewable resources and
will help to ensure that we can extend the life of our limited natural
resources.

[0055] The present invention has been particularly shown and described
with reference to the foregoing embodiment, which is merely illustrative
of the best modes presently known for carrying out the invention. It
should be understood by those skilled in the art that various
alternatives to the embodiment of the invention described herein may be
employed in practicing the invention without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. It is
intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and
that the method within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be
covered thereby. This description of the invention should be understood
to include all novel and non-obvious combination of elements described
herein, and claims may be presented in this or a later application to any
novel non-obvious combination of these elements. Moreover, the foregoing
embodiment is illustrative, and no single feature or element is essential
to all possible combinations that may be claimed in this or a later
application.